ANSI President Signs MoU in Support of Greater U.S.-Ecuadorian Cooperation

New York, Apr 23, 2013

Making a formal commitment to cooperation in standardization activities, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Instituto Ecuatoriano de Normalización (INEN), Ecuador’s national standards body, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in support of greater U.S.-Ecuadorian cooperation. ANSI president and CEO S. Joe Bhatia signed the MoU on behalf of ANSI, the coordinator of the U.S. voluntary standardization system, while Dr. Patricia León, INEN’s executive director, signed on behalf of INEN. The signing took place during the 2013 Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT) General Assembly, held April 21–26, 2013, in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.

Under the agreement, ANSI and INEN have agreed to work to develop mutually supportive positions related to international standardization, encourage dialogue between Ecuadorian and U.S. experts on standards activities, and exchange visits of each organization’s senior management, among other activities. The MoU reflects the essential connection between standards, conformance, and trade, and seeks to establish future areas of cooperation between the two organizations. INEN belongs to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and COPANT, and is an affiliate member of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on behalf of Ecuador. ANSI is the U.S. member body to ISO and, via the U.S. National Committee, to IEC, and a member of COPANT.

Questions or comments may be directed to Jessica Roop, ANSI manager, international policy, regional and bilateral programs, at intl@ansi.org.